In Search of the new 2010 driving laws, I found most every state has quite a few new rules. Be sure to Google “new 2010 driving laws” along with your State. There are too many options to list them all here.

As an example the following three rules will be in effect in California:

New Laws for 2010

DUI Offenders Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Project AAA supports AB 91, authored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-West Hollywood), which establishes a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Sacramento, Tulare, and Los Angeles to mandate installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for first time DUI offenders. The IID must be installed on every vehicle that the offender owns or is allowed to operate. For a first offense that did not involve bodily injury, the IID must be installed for a mandatory five months. If the offense did involve bodily injury, the mandatory installation period is one year. For subsequent offenses, the mandatory installation period is longer. Effective July 1, 2010.

Two ‘Move Over’ Bills AAA supports two new ‘move over’ laws. SB 159, authored by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), makes permanent California’s “Slow Down and Move Over” law. When approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck displaying emergency lights on the highway motorists must slow down and move out of the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle, if it’s safe to do so. Additionally, SB 240authored by Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) expands the “Slow Down and Move Over” law to include Caltrans vehicles that are flashing amber lights. Effective January 1, 2010.

Toll Roads and Bridges The California Transportation Financing Authority (CFTA) will be created by AB 798, authored by Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara). CFTA will oversee funding for an increase in new transportation projects and improvement projects through the issuance of revenue bonds, which can be backed by tolls. The bill also authorizes the use of public-public partnerships for project financing. AB 1175 authored by Assemblyman Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch) adds the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges to the Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit program and as a result bridge tolls are likely to increase or be restructured to help pay for these retrofit projects. Effective January 1, 2010.

The following Rules of the Road are compiled each year via mailings to state/provincial highway departments and/or police departments for RV travel. Some changes may have been made since this data was compiled. For additional state driving laws or regulations not addressed in this section, we suggest that you contact the state or provincial agency listed. While every attempt has been made to check this information, the Woodall’s Campground Directory cannot guarantee its accuracy, and assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions.

NEVADA: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum length of trailers not specified; maximum length of two- or three-vehicle combination 70 ft. Riding is allowed in truck campers. Overnight parking in rest areas allowed in designated areas only; not to exceed 18 hours in any two-week period.RV Safety Requirements: All trailers over 3000 lbs.: chains and brakes on all wheels.State Driving Laws: It is unlawful for a person to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage within the passenger area of a motor vehicle while on a highway; however, this does not apply to the living quarters of a motorhome or RV travel trailer.More Information: Planning Division Chief, Department of Transportation, 1263 S. Stewart St., Carson City NV 89712Emergency number: 911, or dial “0” and ask for Zenith 12000 or dial *NHP on cellular phones

OREGON: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum trailer length 45 ft.; maximum length of two-vehicle combination 65 ft. Riding in truck campers allowed. Passengers are allowed in fifth-wheel trailers if the trailer is equipped with the following: All windows are made of safety glazing materials; an auditory or visual signaling device that passengers can use to gain the attention of the motor-vehicle driver towing the vehicle; and at least one unobstructed exit capable of being opened from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle.RV Safety Requirements: All trailers must have full lighting equipment. Hitches and chains must meet SAE standards and use recommendations. Combinations of vehicles that include a motor vehicle and any other vehicle shall be equipped with a brake system on one or more of the vehicles sufficient to stop both from 20 mph without leaving a 12-foot-wide travel lane. The stopping distance must be within 25 ft. for vehicles under 8,000 GVWR, and within 35 ft. for vehicles weighing 8,000 GVWR and more. Manufacturer’s requirements must be followed on towed vehicles.State Driving Laws: Headlights must be on when limited-visibility conditions exist of 1,000 feet or less. Right turn on red after stopping is allowed unless posted otherwise.More Information: Oregon Department of Transportation, Transportation Safety Division, 235 Union St. NE, Salem OR 97301; 511 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368) in state; (503) 588-2941 outside of OregonEmergency number: 911

Driving Laws in Canada

Another recommendation before you actually get on the road in your RV and travel to Canada, is to be aware about any customs rules or regulations on driving, making purchases, currency exchange, traveling with pets, etc. Canada may be our friendly neighbor to the north, but they do have laws that may differ on certain things. Don’t get caught off guard when Woodall’s can provide you with some guidelines.

Note: 2.6 m. = 8 1/2 ft. 12.5 m. = 41 feet; 16.15 m = 53 ft.

ALBERTA: Maximum RV height 4.0 m.; maximum RV width 2.6 m.; maximum trailer length 12.5 m.; maximum motorhome length 13 m.; combined length for two or three (w/fifth-wheel) vehicles 20 m.RV Safety Requirements: Trailers over 2,000 lbs. must have trailer brakes, unless the lead vehicle is twice the weight of the trailer. Driving Laws: Right turn on red is allowed, unless posted otherwise. Headlights on when conditions restrict visibility to 150 meters/500 ft. or less; driving with headlights on during all hours of the day is permitted. All passengers are required to wear seat belts; children up to 6 yrs./40 lbs. must be in child safety-restraint seats.More Information: Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, Twin Atria Building, 4999-98 Ave., Edmonton AB T6B 2X3Emergency number: 911

NOVA SCOTIA: Maximum RV height 4.15 m.; maximum RV width 2.6 m.; maximum trailer length 12.5 m.; maximum motorhome length 12.5 m.; maximum combined length for two-vehicle combination 23 m. Riding in pickup camper is permitted if seats are equipped with safety belts. Open propane cylinders are not allowed while traveling on open highways. Towing mirrors must be attached to vehicle if the load or trailer obscures rear vision; however, it is illegal to drive on the highway with the extra mirrors in place without the load or trailer attached to the vehicle.RV Safety Requirements: All RVs are required to have flares. All trailers must have safety chains; trailers over 3,000 lbs. must also have breakaway switch; over 4,000 lbs. must also have trailer brakes.Driving Laws: Right turn on red is allowed, unless posted otherwise. All passengers are required to wear seat belts; children up to 40 lbs. must be in child-restraint safety seats. Radar detectors are not allowed.More Information: Department of Business & Consumer Services Call Center, 1505 Barrington St. N., 8th Fl., Halifax NS B3J 3E7Emergency number: 911

ONTARIO: Maximum RV height 4.15 m.; maximum RV width 2.6 m.; maximum trailer length 12.5 m.; maximum motorhome length 12.5 m.; maximum length of two-vehicle combination 23 m. Riding in truck campers is allowed. Overnight parking is allowed in restricted areas.RV Safety Requirements: Over 3,000 lbs./1,360 kg. brakes are required. Safety chains are required unless the trailer is attached by a fifth-wheel attachment.Driving Laws: Driver and all passengers are required to wear seat belts. Children up to 9 kg./20 lbs. and under 26 in./66 cm. must be secured in a rearward-facing child-restraint system secured by the seat-belt assembly. Children between 20-40 lbs./9-18 kg. and over 26 in./66 cm. must be secured in a child-restraint system secured by the seat-belt assembly and a tether strap. Children over 40 lbs./18 kg. can use a booster seat secured by the seat-belt assembly. Radar detection and jamming devices are prohibited.More Information: Ministry of Transportation Information, 301 St. Paul St., St. Catharines ON L2R 7R4Emergency number: 911

Bridge, Tunnel & Ferry Regulations

RV RESTRICTIONS:

It’s wise to check in advance with local authorities before traveling in the following areas, particularly if travel via ferry, bridge or tunnel is planned.

California: Pulling travel trailers may not be allowed in snow areas. Contact the California Highway Patrol before entering a snow area; chains may be required at any time. Trailers may be barred due to high winds, blowing sand, etc. RVs over 20 feet may experience difficulty in negotiating hairpin turns on State Highway 89.

Connecticut: RV size may be limited on the Connecticut River ferry between Chester and Hadlyme; also on Wilbur Cross and Merrit parkways.

Illinois: Trailers are prohibited on boulevards in and around Chicago.

Massachusetts: Trailers are prohibited on Memorial Drive in Cambridge and Storrow Drive in Boston, along the Charles River; and on many other parkways in the Boston area.

Montana: All vehicles over 21 feet long (including bumpers) and 8 feet wide (including mirrors) are not permitted through Logan Pass at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Shuttle service is available between St. Mary and West Glacier. Restriction applies from Avalanche Campground on the south side to Sun Point area on the north side.

New York: Trailers and motorhomes are not permitted on Taconic State Parkway; trailers are not permitted on most parkways.

New York and New Jersey/Hudson River: Between Manhattan and Jersey City: Holland Tunnel. Between Manhattan and Fort Lee: Lower level George Washington Bridge (I-95 South) and George Washington Bridge Expressway. Lower level Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Between Manhattan and Weehawken: Lincoln Tunnel.

LP-GAS RESTRICTIONS:

Virginia/Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel: RVs equipped with ICC-approved compressed cooking tanks not exceeding two 45-pound capacity tanks (or two permanently mounted containers with maximum total capacity of 200 pounds) may cross the facility provided that, in the opinion of the toll collector or police sergeant after inspection, the tanks are completely shut off and securely attached.

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Your contact information for the Louisiana State Police is incorrect. The correct information is:

7919 Independence Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. 225-925-6226.

Additional laws recently passed includes a law prohibiting all vehicles from traveling in the left lane on all multi-lane highways unless passing slower moving traffic or moving over for any emergency vehicle parked along the shoulder (another state law). Louisiana also now requires all passengers both front and rear to wear a seatbelt.

Emergency contact information needs to be corrected. To report an emergency or road hazard to the nearest state police troop, dial *LSP (*577). Thank you.